A JOURNEY TOWARD SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR ALL WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR CONTENTS

Acknowledgements 2

WSP journey in Sri Lanka 5

WSP journey begins 9

Indian Ocean Tsunami 9

Hepatitis A outbreak 9

Risk Management tools introduced 9

Government commitment in 2009 9

NWSDB staff awareness campaign 10

Advocacy and capacity building phase 11

Advocacy secures stakeholder buy-in 11

Tailored training to build national expertise 13

Impact Assessment and Auditing Training 15

WSP Acceleration – Establishment of the Water Safety Plan Advisory Unit (WSPAU) 17

Scaling up of WSP implementation 21

Emergency and incident management 23

Reward and Recognition 23

New era in WSP auditing 25

Internal Auditing 25

Independent External Auditing 26

Rural and community WSP progress 29

The journey ahead 33

References 35

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), Sri Lanka wish to express their appreciation to all whose efforts made this publication possible. In particular, contributions from following representatives of national institutions, current and past NWSDB staff, WHO Regional and Country Office staff, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, WHO consultants, Independent auditors and Yarra Valley Water, Melbourne, Australia staff are gratefully acknowledged.

Special thanks to Dr Razia Pendse, WHO Country Representative to Sri Lanka and Dr Virginie Mallawaarachchi, National Professional Officer, WHO country Office, Sri Lanka for their ongoing guidance and support including funding for the independent external audits and this publication.

AUTHOR CITATIONS Asoka Jayaratne, Yarra Valley Water/ WHO H M Abeykoon Bandara, National Water Supply and David Sutherland, World Health Organization, Consultant, Australia Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Thailand Tharanga Udagedara, Uva-Wellasa University, REVIEWER E A Edirisinghe, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Angella Rinehold, WHO, Switzerland H M J Herath, Department of National Community J Vijayabalan, National Water Supply and Drainage CONTRIBUTORS Water Supply, Sri Lanka Board, Sri Lanka Sardha Mangala Rajapaksha, National Water Supply Darry Jackson, Independent Consultant, Water & Lalith Weerasekara, National Water Supply and and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Sanitation, Australia Drainage Board, Sri Lanka S K Weragoda, National Water Supply and Drainage Ananda Jayaweera, Regional Centre for Sanitation, Kamal Wickramasinghe, National Water Supply and Board, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Athambawa Mohamedthamby, National Water EDITOR EXTERNAL AUDIT COORDINATORS Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Grace Rose-Miller, Yarra Valley Water, Australia Neil Abeysekara, The Institution of Engineers, Payden, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, Sri Lanka DOCUMENT DESIGN AND LAYOUT India Wasantha Gunawardena, National Water Supply and Natalia Hernandez, Yarra Valley Water, Australia P A J U N P Perera, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Drainage Board, Sri Lanka N U K Ranathunga, Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project, Sri Lanka Nihal Rathnayake, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka Sumitha Sumanaweera, Independent External Cover photo - Courtesy Sri Rahula College, . Auditor for The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 3 About Us

1 WSP JOURNEY WSP JOURNEY IN SRI LANKA IN SRI LANKA

Water supplied by NWSDB Water not supplied by NWSDB

Sri Lanka often referred to as the “pearl of the Indian ocean” has a proud history of over 2500 years dating back to 600 B.C. Ancient water supply infrastructure marvels such as the “Giant Canal” where gentle but accurate slope makes it sometimes difficult to observe the flow of water to the naked eye and a network of large water supply/irrigation reservoirs are a testimony to Payden, WHO Regional Office engineering excellence in water for South-East Asia, India resource development and WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) has management. been promoting and advocating the use of water safety planning as a proactive approach of securing drinking Modern Sri Lanka faces a multitude of challenges related water quality since 2006. In 2013, WHO/SEARO and to water resources management and drinking water supply. the NWSDB forged a partnership to implement water At the forefront is the need for a robust process to ensure safety plans. WHO has supported several national supply of safe and clean drinking water to the island’s 21 and regional WSP training activities, development of a million people living in the 65,610 square kilometre area. roadmap and capacity building on WSP auditing. This Water Safety Plans (WSP) have been recognised as a major has led to the formation of a National WSP Committee contributor to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals who provides training and oversees implementation of (SGGs) in Sri Lanka. WSPs. WHO had developed a pool of 14 WSP Master The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Trainers for the region and three of them are from Sri manages 342 water supply schemes in Sri Lanka. These Lanka. The three Master trainers or WSP champions schemes cover approximately 40% of the total population have led the institutionalization of WSPs in the country (Figure 1). In addition, rural water supply schemes operated by developing WSP training manuals, conducting by local government authorities and community-based numerous trainings, mentoring WSP implementers organizations provide a piped water supply to about 10% and supporting setting up a water safety plan auditing of the population. The NWSDB Master Plan aims to increase system which is first of its kind in the region. The credit access to piped water supply up to 60% by year 2020. goes to the three WSP champions.

Figure 1 — Coverage of NWSDB’s urban water supply schemes.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 5 1 WSP JOURNEY IN SRI LANKA

David Sutherland, WHO, Thailand

I first came into contact with the NWSDB in Sri Lanka in 2015, in my capacity as Regional Coordinator for the Drinking Water Quality Partnership between WHO and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They had already prepared their roadmap for implementing WSPs and had started on implementation. The thing that has been so impressive is that Sri Lanka has followed the roadmap so closely. The road map shared a vision and showed how it was going to achieve that vision. Sri Lanka has followed the road map almost to the letter, from early advocacy, to establishment of Steering Committees and learning through piloting, assessment and sharing on demonstration projects to longer term strategy development, policy and regulatory strengthening to A commitment from the NWSDB management to large scale implementation and monitoring of WSPs. establish a dedicated WSP Advisory Unit is a major However, despite following the general WHO roadmap milestone in the WSP journey. WSP experts in this recommendations, they ensured that all activities, advisory unit immensely benefited from the regional tools and strategies were appropriate to their Training of Trainers (TOT) Programs offered by the WHO. national context. These national experts have been tirelessly delivering training, internal auditing and advisory services to the This demonstrated that they had really thought about 74 WSPs fully developed since 2016 (Table 1) spanning what WSPs could give to Sri Lanka and how best to across 11 Regional Support Centres. implement and monitor them. They started slightly later than other countries in the region but quickly got As a result of WSP implementation, significant water into the fast lane and overtook other countries in the quality and process improvements have been achieved. Figure 2 — Greater Kandy Water Treatment Plant. region and are closer to achieving a sustainable model These include infrastructure, operations and management, for water safety planning than anywhere else. finance, stakeholder communication, water loss reduction, water quality surveillance and improved consumer The existence of a national organization responsible satisfaction. Some of these achievements are for the majority of drinking-water supply presents The challenge of developing 342 WSPs is exacerbated Recognising the contribution of safe and clean water documented in the paper “Measuring the Impacts operational advantages and is almost unique in the by the 4500 rural and community water supply schemes supply for a healthy community, the NWSDB with the of Water Safety Plans”.1 region but nevertheless they have used this advantage managed by local authorities and small community guidance of the Ministry of Urban Development, Water to the maximum and have much to share with the rest groups. The WSP process has been gradually extended The latest addition to the objectives in the WSP Roadmap Supply and Drainage adopted the WHO recommended of the region and beyond. WHO has enjoyed working to these sectors with support from UNICEF, WHO and is the trialling of an external audit process in 14 urban proactive risk management approach of WSPs in 2013. with Sri Lanka on WSPs and is proud of what has been the World Bank. The NWSDB Strategic Plan aims to WSPs to set up a sustainable independent external audit WSP Road Map was updated to establish a clear achieved and is confident that this will be sustained implement WSPs in all urban water supply schemes by system. This innovative auditing system has the potential pathway for WSP implementation after a series into the future. It shows the advantage of strategic (but the end of 2020. to be extended to other countries in the region. of strategic stakeholder workshops in 2016 with WHO, realistic) thinking and planning and, most importantly World Bank, Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Sri Lanka has demonstrated rapid progress in WSP Key learnings of the WSP journey and achievements implementing those plans. Every step of the original Program (WASSIP) and National Universities. implementation especially for urban water supply presented in this report encourage the wider WSP roadmap has been successfully climbed in the order schemes in four years since 2016. This would not have community to set audacious goals in their respective anticipated and this gives clarity to NWSDB’s work been possible without the support from the WHO on national settings for successful and practical WSP program, making it easier to explain to politicians, advocacy and capacity building activities. implementation. bureaucrats and donors alike.

1. https://www.aquaya.org/wp-content/uploads/2018_Kumpel_Measuring-the-Impacts-of-Water-Safety-Plans.pdf

6 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 7 A Message From The Chair And The Managing Director WSP JOURNEY BEGINS 2 WSP JOURNEY BEGINS

INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI In 25 December 2004, Sri Lanka was hit by the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami affecting 75% of its coastal areas. The aftermath of this tragic event highlighted the critical need for total water quality management in Sri Lanka. Sanitation guidelines for cleaning and disinfection of ground water wells were developed to address immediate needs followed by the establishment of a country wide Water Quality Surveillance Program by the NWSDB in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. This initiative subsequently contributed to the verification of effectiveness of WSP. HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK The township of Gampola (Figure 3) located in the central hills has a population of 24,730 In May 2007. It is believed the water supply to the town was contaminated due to un- treated sewage from human settlements in the catchment during a heavy rain event. The water treatment was ineffective due to high pathogen load. A Hepatitis A outbreak in the township was attributed to the contaminated water supply, which was widely reported in the media. Learnings from this incident highlighted the importance of catchment management and the need for • Gampola water quality incident management to protect drinking water supply systems. The post incident debrief reiterated the role of WSP for the prevention and management of such incidents. RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS INTRODUCED WSP activity in Sri Lanka started in 2008 with an informal training session by a WSP expert from Yarra Valley Water, Melbourne, Australia on proactive risk management tools including application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) to drinking water supply.

Figure 3 — Location of 2007 Hepatitis A outbreak.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 9 ADVOCACY AND CAPACITY BUILDING PHASE The success of introducing WSP for the 3

first-time hinges heavily on advocacy and ADVOCACY AND CAPACITY BUILDING PHASE capacity building programs.

Sri Lanka has been fortunate to be a recipient of sustained and targeted WHO advocacy and

Figure 4 — Illegal dumping yard adjacent to a water source. support for WSP implementation since 2013. Intensive scale-up of WSP in the country GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT began in 2016. IN 2009 Significant water contamination related incidents in 2004 and 2007 led to the Sri Lankan Government stepping in to support the WSP process in June 2009 with the Cabinet approval for a joint memorandum on Water Quality Surveillance by the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage and the Ministry of Health. This Asoka Jayaratne, Yarra Valley Water, Cabinet paper paved the way for formal introduction Australia of WSPs in 2010. The level of WSP scaling-up achieved in Sri Lanka over a short period of four years would not have been NWSDB STAFF AWARENESS possible without the commitment from the senior CAMPAIGN management of the NWSDB and the dedication and tireless efforts from the members of the Water Safety In order to embed the implementation of WSPs, Plan Advisory Unit. I have been fortunate to contribute awareness and buy-in from the NWSDB staff was to the WSP journey from the very beginning. I am essential. To address this need, the NWSDB conducted proud of the achievements and rapid WSP progress, ADVOCACY SECURES Darryl Jackson, WASH Consultant, a WSP awareness workshop for its key staff in 2010. especially as a Sri Lankan living overseas. STAKEHOLDER BUY-IN Australia The initial advocacy meeting in February 2014 between the The three master trainers each brought to the Training WHO Regional Director of the South Asian Regional Office of Trainer program different perspectives such as (SEARO) and the Secretary to the Ministry of City Planning water treatment expertise, social issues, overall and Water Supply encouraged the Sri Lankan Government management and operations. Different training styles 2004 2007 2008 2009 2010 to commit to WSP implementation. A NWSDB-WSP of each trainer ensured a "complete package" of WSPs Committee comprising of the Additional General Manager was presented in subsequent in-country training and INDIAN OCEAN HEPATITIS A INTORDUCTION GOVERNMENT STAFF South & East, Assistant General Manager Laboratory, helped to build a broad-based support within NWSDB. Engineers and Chemists was established in 2017 There was absolute commitment and dedication both TSUNAMI OUTBREAK OF WSP TOOLS COMMITTMENT READINESS to oversee WSP implementation. by the individuals and NWSDB. Finally, creativity was CAMPAIGN applied to the original training as they tailored it to local circumstances. TIMELINE

10 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 11 Advocacy for WSP implementation continued with a series of international missions and national initiatives in the subsequent years: › WSP National Consultation Workshop coordinated by A successful outcome of the pilot study was the the WHO In June 2014; establishment of a uniform implementation mechanism for Rural WSPs; and › WSP assessment and a rural WSP workshop chaired by a Technical Officer from SEARO in April 2015 › The WSP Road Map was updated after a series of workshops in 2016 with WHO, World Bank, › Chairman of the WSP committee; attended a WSP Bi- WASSIP and National Universities to revisit strategic regional meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2015; priorities including: › In December 2015, a special session on WSP was a. continuous advocacy at Ministerial, District and held at the 6th International conference on Structural Community levels; Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM) to communicate the success of WSP process in Sri Lanka b. enhanced training and advocacy programs; 3 to the engineering professionals in the Asia-Pacific ADVOCACY AND CAPACITY BUILDING PHASE c. finalised WSP materials for urban and rural region; WSPs including standard operating procedures, › In January 2016, a Consultant and a Technical Officer Emergency Response Plans, fact sheets and from the WHO, Geneva attended a number of advocacy training materials; meetings and workshops to promote WSP application d. continued implementation of new WSPs at a rapid in rural water supply systems. A basic household data rate of 55 per annum; collection survey template to gather information from the catchment to the end user was introduced to assist e. improvement of existing WSP audit performance the WSP teams to systematically identify potential to “good” to “very good”; hazards. A pilot approach for Rural WSP was developed f. enhanced internal auditing process and develop for the Liyanoya Development Foundation Community an external auditing mechanism; and Based water supply in Kithulgala in the District. Figure 6 — WSP progess meeting. g. Inclusion of adaptation for extreme weather events.

TAILORED TRAINING TO BUILD NATIONAL EXPERTISE Training programs to enhance in-depth knowledge of › In 2014, NWSDB management committed four dedicated Kamal Wickramasinghe, NWSDB WSP concepts amongst NWSDB staff and stakeholders resources for a minimum six-year period to be available progressed in parallel with the advocacy activities. WSP as national Master Trainers. Nominated Master Trainers Grass-root level engagement initiated by NWSDB Expert from Yarra Valley Water, Australia was invited to successfully completed an intensive training program Training Team was a key contributor to WSP deliver the first ever formal WSP training workshop in Sri (Tier 1) in September 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand. This was success. WSP trainers have perfectly implemented Lanka in September 2013 inaugurated by the then Minister followed by the Tier 2 training workshop in October 2014, the project work assigned to them and coordinated of Urban Development Water Supply and Drainage. in Nagpur, India. The Master Training program contributed with relevant team leaders to expand their capabilities immensely to the success of development of 74 WSPs Ongoing capacity building activities based on WHO and knowledge to overcome the barriers to improving in Sri Lanka in a very short time span. These dedicated – WSP Manual 2009, for key NWSDB personnel the water quality. master trainers conducted a series of WSP training progressed in all provinces between 2013 and 2016. This programs in 2016 coordinated by the NWSDB Training Figure 5 — Training by international WSP expert Consultant. process successfully trained over 50 NWSDB staff and Centre across 10 Regional Support Centres in preparation stakeholders including academia and officials for water for rapid expansion of WSP development in the regional related agencies such as the Department of Irrigation and centres; and Mahaweli Authority: › Through the concentrated effort in WSP training, NWSDB › In 2014, WHO supported a training program delivered successfully identified the next level of WSP experts by a WSP expert from Yarra Valley Water, Australia as Regional Champions to further institutionalise WSP 2014 2014 2015 2016 2017 to develop six model urban WSPs; expansion to 342 urban water supply schemes. In 2016, HIGH LEVEL NATIONAL WSP WSP ADVOCACY WSP › In May 2014, WHO supported a mission by a WHO a training program for regional champions strengthened ADVOCACY CONSULTATION ASSESSMENT MEETINGS AND COMMITTEE Consultant from Australia to deliver a Training of their capacity to implement regional WSPs. WORKSHOP AND A RURAL WSP ROAD MAP AND WSP Trainers (TOT) program to further extend the WSP WSP WORKSHOP ROAD MAP expertise within the NWSDB and stakeholders; TIMELINE

12 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 13 "WSP Expert from Yarra Valley Water, Australia was invited to deliver the first ever 3 formal WSP training ADVOCACY AND CAPACITY BUILDING PHASE workshop in Sri Lanka..."

Figure 7 — Training workshop with National University, Singapore in 2012.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDITING TRAINING Auditing the WSPs to verify the effectiveness is essential adopted the tool and completed impact assessments for to maintain the WSP and focus on continuous improvement. a further 10 water supply schemes. Outcomes of these Training for a selected group of WSP experts identified via assessments were published in the paper “Measuring the the TOT and regional champions programs commenced in Impacts of Water Safety Plans in the Asia-Pacific Region Sumitha Sumanaweera, Nihal Rathnayake, NWSDB 2014 to ensure internal audits can be performed in a timely ” in the International Journal of Environmental Research manner to evaluate the effectiveness of WSP. The NWSDB and Public Health2 in 2018; Independent Consultant/ Air, water and food are the most essential elements now has an ongoing and effective WSP auditing program, a for a healthy nation with longer life. By year 2010 › Capacity building in WSP Auditing continued with further External Auditor successful outcome of targeted auditor training programs: treated water turbidity indicated poor removal of auditor training in December 2015, by a WSP Expert from I participated in this WSP master trainer program emerging contaminants and high probability of › In December 2014, a WSP Expert from Yarra Valley Yarra Valley Water, Australia and the Technical Officer as a member of a team of three from Sri Lanka. The disinfection by products with a probable risk of Water, Australia conducted WSP assessments in from SEARO. Training focussed on a demonstration program was based on adult learning and training chronic diseases. Implementation of WSP concept Eheliyagoda in the Sabaragamuwa Province and audit of the Thuruwila Water Supply System in the North methodologies on in depth understanding of urban would assure not only the safety of water but also Kandy in the Central Province to evaluate the status Central Province highlighting application of WSP auditing WSP principles. This was an advanced training program the security of non-toxic food and high purity air to of implementation and to demonstrate basic WSP concepts; and delivered by a team of WHO experts . The contents of the nation to achieve the highest life expectancy in auditing concepts to NWSDB master trainers and › The Rural WSP Auditing Tool was introduced by the the program were well designed and documented in the world. This compelled me to conduct the WSP regional champions; Technical Officer from SEARO at a training workshop TOT style. Based on this training we could return and awareness program for NWSDB staff. contribute to development of WSP culture in Sri Lanka › In November 2015, WHO engaged a Consultant from in October 2015. This training tool has since been applied very effectively using the guides and tools provided. the University of Massachusetts to introduce the to over 100 rural systems. Impact Assessment Tool to assess social and economic impacts of WSP implementation. NWSDB has since

2013 2014 2014 2016 2014 2015 2015 2015 2018 FIRST FORMAL TRAINING FOR TOT PROGRAMS REGIONAL EXTERNAL WSP IMPACT DEMONSTRATION RURAL WSP WSP IMPACT WSP TRAINING SIX MODEL WSPS CHAMPIONS ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT AUDIT AUDITING TOOL ASSESSMENT DEDICATED TOOL REPORT MASTER TRAINERS TIMELINE TIMELINE

2. www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

14 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 15 WSP ACCELERATION – ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WATER SAFETY PLAN ADVISORY UNIT (WSPAU) 4 WSP ACCELERATION

WHO, IWA and other global organisations have been supporting WSP implementation for urban/ rural water supply schemes in several capacity building activities since 2006. At least 93 countries have globally implemented urban and/or rural WSPs (WHO WASH Staff Reflection Series Water Safety Planning, 2019). However, the success of implementation rests with the water suppliers and other stakeholders in each country.

In the absence of drinking water regulations in Sri Lanka, it has been a challenge to convince related jurisdictions to support voluntary WSP implementation. The NWSDB has been able to overcome this hurdle by committing resources to successfully develop 264 WSPs (fully or partially) to date within four years (Table 1). The secret for this success and rapid progress in implementation is primarily due to the commitment from the NWSDB to establish a dedicated Water Safety Plan Advisory Unit (WSPAU) in March 2016 in the Kandy Regional Office. Intensive scale-up of WSP implementation commenced with the establishment of this unit in 2016. Based on the success of the WSPAU, a second Water Safety Plan Unit was formed in 2017 under the Deputy General Manager Development at the NWSDB Head Office.

Figure 8 — WSP training session.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 17 ADDITIONAL GENERAL MANAGER NORTHERN & CENTRAL / WSP CHAIRMAN DEPUTY GENERAL ADMINISTRATION MANAGER (CENTRAL)

ASSISTANY GENERAL MANAGER / CHIEF ENGINEER WSP

CHIEF CHIEF CHEMIST CHIEF SOCIOLOGIST / SENIOR HYDROGEOLOGIST / SENIOR CHEMIST / SENIOR HYDROGEOLOGIST SOCIOLOGIST

ENGINEER 4 OFFICE MANAGEMENT (ELECTRICAL & WSP ACCELERATION ASSISTANT ASSISTANT MECHANICAL)

Figure 9 WSP internal audit — process improvements -online monitoring. Figure 10 — Structure of Water Safety Plan Advisory Unit.

P A J U N P Perera, NWSDB

A key benefit of WSP implementation in the Raddolugma water supply scheme in the District has been the improvement to raw water quality due to concerted catchment protection measures implemented since 2018. WSP team Since 2016, milestones achieved by the WSPAU established a vibrant stakeholder sub-team to drive a range of catchment protection measures. The team demonstrates the success of WSP progress in Sri Lanka: monitored the effectiveness via water quality testing and quarterly field surveillance visits. › The NWSDB Strategic Plan which commits to › Establishment of a dedicated water testing implement WSPs in all urban water supply schemes laboratory for WSP activities; J Vijayabalan, NWSDB A significant reduction in raw water contamination by 2020; from industrial waste, discharges from animal › Stakeholder awareness program in Universities The first WSP in Sri Lanka, exclusively sourced from farms, river bank erosion and pesticides has been › Introduction of WSPs at early stages of new water to encourage academia to introduce WSP concepts groundwater has been implemented in the Mannar achieved. Raw water quality now complies with supply schemes in collaboration with the World Bank in to curriculums; and District serving almost 35% of the population in the Sri Lankan Standard SLS 614. No heavy metals Assisted Project (WASSIP); › Introduction of WSP modules in Bachelor of Science the District. have since been detected in the raw water verifying the effectiveness of control measures. › Auditor training programs/workshops to increase (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) curriculum by Control measures identified and implemented in confidence in internal auditing; several Universities. the WSP process have considerably reduced the The two large water treatment plants in the system ground water contamination & extraction risks. WSP now consistently achieve the filtered water turbidity implementation has also contributed to consumer, of less than 0.2NTU as a result of implementation of stakeholders and institutional alignment to improve improvements to the filtration systems and installation water quality. of a new chemical dosing system.

18 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 19 SCALING UP OF WSP IMPLEMENTATION

5 SCALING UP OF WSP IMPLEMENTATION

Since the establishment of the WSPAU in 2016, WSP implementation NUK Ranathunga, Water Supply and has rapidly progressed extending Sanitation Improvement Project to 11 Regional Support Centres. Application of Water Safety Plan in design stage is Implementation has been boosted essentially a call to actions required to ensure the sustainability of a Water Supply Scheme. Adopting with ongoing support from the WHO, such a proactive risk management approach will IWA, World Banks and UNICEF. Sri always keep the project goals aligned with the pillars Lanka has been able to achieve rapid of sustainability. I am pleased to state that we were able to make certain developments in designs to cycling (WHO WASH Staff Reflection mitigate potential catchment hazards after application Series Water Safety Planning, 2019) of WSPs in Water Supply Schemes under WASSIP. focussing on quick wins.

The three Master trainers/WSP champions assigned to the WSPAU systematically institutionalised WSPs by In 2016, another milestone was achieved with the developing WSP training manuals, conducting numerous introduction of WSPs at the project planning and design training workshops, development of regional trainers and stage for new water supply schemes in seven districts mentoring WSP implementers. The WSPAU successfully under the World Bank assisted Water Supply and Sanitation established a water safety plan internal auditing system Improvement Project (WASSIP). The WSP initiation at which is considered first of its kind in the region. design stage will become the norm for all new water Consolidation of capacity building activities by the WSPAU supply schemes in Sri Lanka. was central to the completion of 74 WSPs across the In 2018, training delivery process was centralised with country over a short span of less than four years (2016 the WSP refresher training delivered through the NWSDB to 2019 - Table 1). Training Centre to six Regional Support Centres.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 21 H M Abeykoon Bandara, NWSDB Jayalal Wijesinghe, NWSDB

Kolonnawa WSP team proactively identified the risk of Discharge of oil from a factory operated by a leading contamination and flooding in the event of catastrophic beverage manufacturer in August 2015 contaminated failure of the Meethotamulla garbage dump. WSP team the water supply to a large area in the metropolitan monitored the ground movements and impact on water . Several corrective actions to be included in mains in the surrounding roads over several months. the Emergency Response Plan were identified including Four new section valves were installed to isolate the prevention of discharge from the factories, installation area. During the unfortunate deadly collapse of the of real time monitoring system at the intake structure, garbage dump on 14th April 2017, the NWSDB staff installation of a floating boom and consideration of were able to immediately close valves and prevented additional treatment such as activated carbon along inundation of over 70 houses saving many lives. with coagulation.

Figure 11 — WSP site visit during construction of WASSIP funded Galigamuwa Water Supply Scheme. EMERGENCY AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT Water quality emergency and incident response plans WATER SAFETY PLAN PROGRESS AS OF DECEMBER 2019 (ERP) were almost non-existent in many water supply schemes across the world prior to adopting WSPs. Even 5 SCALING UP OF WSP IMPLEMENTATION Number of WSP Modules Implemented after the WSP implementation, setting up of a practical Number of NWSDB Regional WSP to be ERP can be challenging. The WSPAU took up this challenge Water Supply Support Centre developed and prepared a simple ERP for one of the small water Schemes Up to Module 3 Up to Module 8 Up to Module 11 Total supply schemes in the Central Province with the guidance from WSP Expert from Yarra Valley Water, Australia. This Central 44 6 13 3 22 22 was followed by the development of several operational North Central 19 10 0 3 13 6 ERPs for over 125 water supply systems. North Western 31 2 6 3 11 20 Sabaragamuwa 27 2 13 5 20 7 REWARD AND RECOGNITION Western (Production) 8 6 1 0 7 1 In 2018, the WSPAU introduced an annual WSP Award for the three best WSPs in Sri Lanka coinciding with the World Uva 30 13 7 7 27 3 Water Day. This reward and recognition initiative encourage Eastern 49 4 9 34 47 2 WSP teams to excel in implementation and recognises the commitment and dedication of operational staff involved Northern 24 7 2 4 13 11 in day to day operation of the water supply systems. Western Central 20 18 1 1 20 0 The national award ceremony showcases WSP success Western North 18 4 11 1 16 2 with the participation of policy makers and senior government officials. Western South 14 10 4 0 14 0 Figure 12 — Intake protection – buoy installed after an incident. Southern 58 30 11 13 54 4 TOTAL 342 112 78 74 264 78

Table 1 - WSP Progress 2016 2016 2018 2018 2019 WSP ADVISORY WATER EMERGENCY REWARD AND 74 WSPS UNIT SUPPLY AND RESPONSE RECOGNITION DEVELOPED SANITATION PLANS IMPROVEMENT

TIMELINE PROJECT

22 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 23 NEW ERA IN WSP AUDITING

INTERNAL AUDITING Mangala Rajapaksa, NWSDB Auditing is an important element in achieving the WSP With the dedication of the NWSDB management Roadmap objective of surveillance and verification. The and staff, Sri Lanka is on a fast track to WSP inaugural Informal external audit program was conducted implementation in both urban and rural sectors. by the WSP Expert from Yarra Valley Water, Australia and WSP auditing is a critical element in the successful two Regional Auditors from Bhutan and Nepal sponsored implementation as it verifies the WSP is complete, by the WHO in 2016 in nine water supply schemes. This adequate and drives continuous improvement. Internal program not only provided valuable information on the informal and formal audits ensure the sustainable status of WSP implementation in Sri Lanka, it also provided operation and maintenance of water supply systems an opportunity for potential national auditors to learn to supply safe water to the community. 6 the techniques of WSP auditing from international and NEW ERA IN WSP AUDITING regional experts. Since then the WSPAU has successfully completed 15 internal informal and formal audits of 20 water supply schemes. A template from the WHO guidance document for WSP Auditing has been adopted across all internal audits to ensure consistency. Significant on-the-ground improvements identified during the formal and informal audits contributed to improved water quality: › Improved catchment management practices; › Improved collaboration between catchment managers; › Self-motivation and an enhanced knowledge of water supply system operations; › Emergency response preparedness; › Water treatment plant operational cost reduction; › Improved operational monitoring; and › Setting up of water treatment plant specific water quality targets.

Figure 13 — internal audit site visit.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 25 "...The NWSDB intends to fine tune the process and establish an ongoing

Wasantha Gunawardhena, NWSDB Athambawa Mohamedthamby, sustainable external formal audit program It is a privilege that the NWSDB reached a key mile NWSDB stone in 2019 by completing 14 External Formal using 100% national expertise... This The WSP implementation is undertaken by the Audits for the first time in the South East Asian NWSDB with financial and knowledge sharing input Region. Addressing the recommendations from these from WHO as external agency support. The external system has the potential to be extended to audits will ensure ongoing compliance to Sri Lankan formal audit is an eye opening to WSP implementers Drinking Water Standards, WHO-WSP Guidelines and on perception of external audits. The employees were the Asia-Pacific and other regions." progressing towards achieving SDG 6 in 2030. WHO motivated to adopt good practice by use of improved funding support enabled the engagement of high systematic risk assessment and management systems calibre independent auditors appointed by the IESL. in Konduwatuwana water supply chains to supply safe Three major water treatment plants, nine water supply water to consumers. schemes from the catchment to the consumer and two distribution only systems were chosen for the audits covering all water supply regions. I am proud to state that plans have been made to continue External Formal Audits in selected “better performing” 12 more water supply schemes in 2020.

INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL E A Edirisinghe, NWSDB Lalith Weerasekara, NWSDB NWSDB Southern Region has effectively implemented Evaluation of WSPs in Eheliyagoda and Kandy by 6 AUDITING 48 WSPs achieving great outcomes. During recent internationally qualified auditors has paved the way NEW ERA IN WSP AUDITING The WSPAU has been researching since 2017 to develop an › Improvements to Team meetings to focus WSP internal audits, four water supply schemes to streamline the WSP application in Sri Lanka's WSP external formal audit system in Sri Lanka that can be easily on WSP processes; have been awarded very high scores. More Regional achievements which reflect the insight and guidance adopted regionally. Initial discussions were held with the Centres expect to implement water safety plans in the given during these two WSP assessments conducted at Sri Lanka Standards Institute, the Institution of Engineers, › Incomplete hazard identification; coming years. the initial stage and considered one of the key turning Sri Lanka (IESL) and the WHO. In 2019, a successful points in Sri Lanka’s WSP journey. › Definition of water treatment targets; The WSP program has provided a common forum for partnership with the IESL established an external auditor all stakeholders to work together. This enabled NWSDB selection process to conduct formal external audits. The › Linkages between risk assessment and to effectively operate our water supply schemes and auditor panel currently consist of a Lead Auditor who has improvement plan; provide sustainable water supply facilities to the nation. significant auditing credentials for auditing management › Clear operational monitoring plans for critical risks and systems such implementation of corrective actions; and as ISO 9001 and a Technical Auditor with experience in the WSP processes. The new auditing process completed for › Operator training. the 14 WSPs in 2019 has been fully funded by the WHO Based on the evaluation the trial audit process and review Country Office. of the results and auditor recommendations, the NWSDB The independent external audits issued several non- intends to fine tune the process and establish an ongoing 2016 2017 2019 2019 2019 conformance and opportunities for improvements. sustainable external formal audit program using 100% Willingness from the WSP Teams to address the gaps national expertise fulfilling another objective of the WSP WHO EXPERT WSPAU 74 WSPS 15 INTERAL EXTERNAL Roadmap. This system has the potential to be extended identified during these audits was evident and is a positive EXTERNAL INTERNAL DEVELOPED AUDITS FORMAL sign of their commitment to WSP process. Key areas to the Asia-Pacific and other regions. of improvements identified in these audits include: INFORMAL AUDIT COMPLETED AUDIT TRIAL AUDIT PROGRAM TIMELINE

26 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 27 RURAL AND COMMUNITY WSP PROGRESS

The Department of National Community Water Supply within the Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply was established under a Gazette notification in September 2014 to ensure safe drinking water Angella Rinehold, WHO, Switzerland to rural communities . Approximately, Water safety planning is inherently more challenging in 7 5000 community-based organizations rural settings than in urban settings owing to a range RURAL AND COMMUNITY WSP PROGRESS are currently involved in this sector. of operational, managerial, technical, staffing and resourcing limitations that tend to characterize rural Of the 52% pipe borne water supply water supply systems. From the outset, the approach systems in Sri Lanka, 11% are taken to rural WSP programme development in Sri provided by such community-based Lanka reflected many lessons learned through trial and error globally, including simplifying the WSP approach organizations. and creating customized resources and tools to suit the local context. Critically, care was also taken to The application of WSP to rural and community integrate the WSP approach into existing systems for water supply systems has been strengthened by the efficiency and sustainability. Heeding global lessons to Implementation of WSP for Rural Sector with Department apply best practice from the start has helped Sri Lanka of National Community Water Supply under Ministry of side-step common pitfalls and realize WSP benefits City Planning and Water Supply and Water Supply and sooner rather than later. Sanitation Improvement Project (WASSIP) in 2019.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 29 Water quality and living standards for rural and community water supply systems has been gradually improving with the Implementation of simplified Water Safety Plans.

Figure 14 — Rural WSP site visit for hazard identification. N I Wickramasinghe, NWSDB

As a Sociologist and a WSP Master Trainer I recognised the need to pay more attention to introduce WSPs to rural water supply systems compared to urban systems. According to the country statistics, approximately 3500 rural systems, almost 10 times larger than the number of urban systems, are registered with the NWSDB and NDCWSS as M J Herath, Department of National community managed water supply systems. These 7 Community Water Supply community managed water supply systems have RURAL AND COMMUNITY WSP PROGRESS been plagued by the lack of basic water supply and Small community water suppliers may find it difficult treatment knowledge, poor water quality, limited to immediately meet community, local or national water resources, inadequate treatment, lack of funds water quality targets or objectives, particularly when and lower priority at national level. Introduction of the resources are limited. However, the development and six-module WSP enabled community managed water implementation of WSPs in rural water supplies are supply systems to gradually improve the water quality associated with many positive impacts. Relevant to all and living standards of these communities. We are community-managed systems, it is applicable to piped systematically addressing the challenge of educating schemes, point sources such as hand pumps, protected and orienting rural communities to implement springs or household rainwater harvesting systems and WSPs. Stakeholder engagement, communication other sources. The WSP philosophy recognizes that and development of targeted educational materials even rural, readily achievable improvements are earned and tools have been essential to motivate these through water safety planning. communities to embed a WSP working culture.

30 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 31 THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Sri Lanka has made significant progress in WSP implementation, focusing firmly on achieving the goals set out in its WSP Roadmap. A new S K Weragoda, NWSDB state of the art laboratory funded Referring to one of Hippocrates' (a Greek physician by the People’s Republic of China is who lived from 460 B.C. to 375 B.C. and known as the being constructed at the University father of the modern medicine) most famous quotes, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food", of Peradeniya (Figure 15). This all citizens of a country shall have to have equal access laboratory will significantly enhance to safe food without keeping anyone behind. While the capabilities for the compliance considering “water” as a food which can cause severe disease if polluted, Sri Lanka needs to concentrate and operational monitoring programs in deep to ensure a consistently safe drinking water for WSPs in Sri Lanka as well as supply to its citizens regardless where they are. to implement WSP surveillance Consequently, I strongly believe the WSP approach as the best management tool to be established from the programs. A proposal is being ground level of the island to ensure its prosperity. prepared to establish a Regional WSP Centre for Excellence at this facility.

Like many other countries in the Asia Pacific region, The NWSDB has been in discussions with the National catchment management has been extremely challenging Universities to introduce WSP modules to undergraduate for WSP implementation. NWSDB will focus on minimizing and post graduate programs. It is expected that WSP water pollution through catchment management programs. related modules will be gradually introduced to the university curriculum in the coming years. Best practice WSP implementation in countries such 8 THE JOURNEY AHEAD as Australia, United Kingdom and the United States of With the boosted WSP in-country expertise combined with America has been heavily influenced by strong drinking the novel external auditing process, expansion of WSP water regulations. In the coming years Sri Lanka will need beyond the water supply to the academia and the state-of- to take up the challenge of developing a robust drinking the-art water quality testing laboratory, Sri Lanka intends water regulatory mechanism for the ultimate success to establish the Regional WSP Centre for Excellence, a one of WSP implementation to ensure water supplied to the stop shop for all WSP services to the Region. Figure 15 — An Artist’s impression of the new water testing laboratory at the University of Peradeniya. customers is safe and clean 100% of the time.

WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 33 Sri Lanka has demonstrated rapid progress in WSP implementation especially for urban water supply schemes in four years since 2016. This would not have been possible without the support from the WHO on advocacy and capacity building activities.

Ananda Jayaweera, Regional Centre for Sanitation

In 2009, a joint cabinet paper was presented by the then Ministry of Water supply & Drainage and Ministry of Health to establish a water quality surveillance system in Sri Lanka. This was a great opportunity for Water and Health sectors to work in collaboration to establish a Water Quality Surveillance System Tharanga Udagedara, Uva-Wellassa in Sri Lanka. University Depletion of quality and quantity of water is a major public health risk which is aggravated by urbanization The whole country is yet to receive safe drinking water, and environmental pollution. There is evidence of REFERENCES according to the National Water Supply and Drainage increasing water borne diseases in recent times and Board. However, the NWSDB has been able to provide a continuous vigilance is essential in maintaining tap water for a significant portion of the country quality of drinking water supplied through water 1. WHO (2019). WASH Staff Reflection Series Water Safety Planning: Geneva: World Health Organization together with many community-based water supply supply systems and other accessible sources of water. schemes. Thus, safely managing the existing water 2. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2018). Measuring the Impacts of Water Safety Plans 8

sources and supplies would be of prime importance. Through this establishment of Water Quality in the Asia-Pacific Region: MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. (https://www.aquaya.org/wp-content/uploads/2018_Kumpel_ THE JOURNEY AHEAD Recognizing this necessity, the Department of Science Surveillance System, it expected to ensure that the Measuring-the-Impacts-of-Water-Safety-Plans.pdf) and Technology of Uva Wellassa University, introduced drinking water supply service providers exercise 3. WHO (2017). Water Safety Plan Impact Assessment Findings, Sri Lanka Report a 30-hour lecture series to its undergraduate continuous vigilance and proactive risk assessment curriculum in 2015. Several undergraduate research to maintain water quality at all times through 4. WHO & IWA (2009). Water safety plan manual: step-by-step risk management for drinking-water suppliers. Geneva: World projects have also been conducted on WSP since 2012. implementation of WSPs present contamination. Health Organization (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/publication_9789241562638/en/)

34 WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA WATER SAFETY PLAN COUNTRY REPORT FOR SRI LANKA 35